illegitimacy
pronunciation
How to pronounce illegitimacy in British English:
UK [ˌɪlə'dʒɪtəməsɪ]
How to pronounce illegitimacy in American English:
US [ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtəməsi]
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- Noun:
- the status of being born to parents who were not married
- unlawfulness by virtue of not being authorized by or in accordance with law
Word Origin
- illegitimacy (n.)
- 1670s; see illegitimate + -acy.
Example
- 1. In most of asia , marriage is widespread and illegitimacy almost unknown .
- 2. In the west the upshot has been divorce and illegitimacy .
- 3. Rather than raising kids in extreme poverty and with the stigma of illegitimacy , some asian mothers have chosen to put infants up for adoption , especially in poor nations .